His new collection full of drift and soft sculpture is called “Smoke and Mirrors” because “That’s what fashion is all about” explains Cooper. You can “look like plain Jane but whack your dress on or put your face on and then you are someone else”. He creates event driven clothes but is now adding more daywear as he feels fashion is becoming a lot more about separates. This range features crushed silk and hand tucked cottons in azure blues and metallics.

Up Close with Wayne Cooper

Tips for the season from Claudia Navone
-You can wear a short dress to the races as long as you are hidden up top.
-There’s a lot of ivory and beige in season. Flesh is the new black. When wearing nudes pay attention to your complexion as they can wash you out.
- Investing in dresses is easy as it’s one piece and you’re done dressing.
- Soft dressing a la Chloe is big.

Tips for headwear at the races by milliner Peter Jago
-This season his headwear is inspired by metallics of the Assyrians and ancient Egyptians.
-Headbands for the races can be a subtle rock and roll option.
-Jago is sick of “scraggy” looking hair, be polished with your ‘do to pay respect to your headwear.
-Show off your beautiful neck!

Your trackside look by Heading Out Hair and Beauty’s Caterina Di Biase
-As the Spring Carnival is an event you can feel free to play with your look. Remember the races are still a day event. Don’t go over the top with your makeup.
-For a fresh 60’s look try heavy eyeliner. But tone everything else down lest you look like a clown.
-The only ponytails we should see on the track are tucked under, polished and Viktor and Rolf inspired.

Akira, Belinda (presents Marni and Josh Goot), Karen Millen, Lisa Ho and nicolangela.

The range reminds us of all things heavenly using a palatte of cloudy white and silvers, washed out blues and sunset tangerines and gold. Watercolour style prints, sandwashed silks, metallic cottons and soft ruffles also feature. We are loving Wayne Cooper’s ‘Halter Drape Wrap Dress’ in smoke and his ‘Heavenly Chiffon One-shoulder Drape Gown’ in shell in particular.

P.S. Since it is formal season, the team at Wayne Cooper wanted to let any young ladies out there looking for a showstopping dress that there is only one of their uber-popular ‘Silver Mullet Gowns’ left in store – so get in quick!

Find the full Wayne Cooper Spring Summer collection in store on level one (take the lift) or call 03 9671 3963.

Final reductions on A/W 2010 are now in store at Zimmermann. 50% off or more!

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*Update 25th June*

Wayne Cooper has now reduced everything – up to 75% off!

Future melbourne brides this is your chance to find “the dress” for as little as $100! For two days only, this Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th June, Brides of Melbourne are having their clearance sale. Up to 80% off gowns (and even 10% off new season pieces). Find them in a new space on level 2.

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*Update 23rd June*

The Alpha60 shoe sale is on! Enjoy 30% off Opening Ceremony, gram, Marais labels and more for 10 days only.

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*Update 17th June*

Leona Edmiston’s sale will soon come to an end. Now is your last chance to take advantage of final reductions. Find 50% off all handbags and up to 50% of frocks. All Italian handmade heels are only $150!

Need shoes? Camper has 30% off current season designs starting today.

Zimmermann now has further reductions in-store with up to 50% off Autumn/Winter 2010.

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*Update 16th June*

Take an extra 20% off already reduced items at Mimco.

You’ll now find the ABC Shop has gone on sale! Time to stock up on goodies and gifts for the heart and mind.

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*Update 11th June*

Hussy’s up to 50% off sale continues…

Enjoy 30% off when you mention this offer at Alexi Freeman until his end of lease sale runs out on June 20.

In need of a fabulous frock for a special occasion (or one to save for a rainy day when you need to knock someone’s sock off)? Your destination should be nicolangela where they have 50 up to 75% off on now.

Fat has also just started their Winter sale. Check in store for markdowns.

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*Update 9th June*

30% off all denim at Alpha60’s Alphaville store starts tomorrow for ten days only.

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*Update 7th June*

Lisa Taranto is celebrating their opening week with a 20% off sale until 17th June.

Arabella Ramsay now has a up to 40% off winter sale now on in her Temporary Pleasure pop-up store.

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*Update 3rd June 2010*

Starting today Gorman has up to 60% off in a mid year fashion sale also featuring shoes and accessories.

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*Update 2nd June 2010*

The lovely Leona Edmiston now has 25-50% off (almost) everything in store. Stock up on frocks, heel and bags. Plus they also have some new Leona by Leona Edmiston dress arrivals in that are a bargain in and of themselves at $129. Coveting the versatile navy Nicola dress.

Until June 30th Ben Sherman has a massive 30 – 70% off storewide.

Discover up to 75% off Autumn/Winter pieces at Manning Cartell from this Friday 4th to Sunday 6th of June.

Baccini & Hill is holding their annual clearance. Some dresses start at $100 while you’ll fine 15% off new season pieces. Up to 80% off the rest for two days ONLY this weekend.

New season Autumn Winter designs at Karen Millen are up to 50% off.

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*Update 1st June 2010*

Arthur Galan AG is offering up to 50% off starting today.

Starting tomorrow, the made-for-any-season Metalicus will have from 30 – 50% off.

Mimco has also just started their up to 50% off sale on selected gorgeous pieces.

Lovers of lingerie should rejoice as im boutique now has – you guessed it – up to 50% off selected lingerie, swimwear, sleepwear and accessories.

From tomorrow for two weeks only Willow will also be on sale at up to 50% off!

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On now at Belinda you’ll find 30% off luxurious designer labels including Stella McCartney and Marni. Visit the store for more details.

Also on now at Wayne Cooper is their Winter sale. Find up to 50% off his gorgeous range. We’re almost running tempted to run out the door this instant.

While stocks last, Hussy has a buy two pieces and get the second item half price promotion.

LIFEwithBIRD also has further reductions with up to 50% off winter pieces.

We have fallen for gorgeously draped pieces like Cooper’s soft ‘Cashmere Shawl Coat’, ‘Knit Wrap Cardi’ and folded velvet tulip skirt. While blood may be shed to get our hands on his playfully chic ‘Silk Kimono Sleeve Shortsuit’ or the adorably proper ‘Tulle Overlay’ dress that highlights a 50’s figure. Mostly the collection has a new sense of rebelliousness, an ‘I don’t care what anyone thinks’ (to put it politely) attitude. Wearers of Wayne Cooper this Autumn/Winter know they look glam as they kick up their heels, and hint that they may get up to a little bit of mischief will doing so.

We’ve assembled some of our favourite looks from this new collection for your perusal in the gallery below. Visit Wayne Cooper on level 1 or call 03 9671 3963.

Images courtesy label

The highlight of the luncheon (apart from O’Connor’s energetic back up dancers naturally) was a race wear parade featuring the likes of Karen Millen, Arthur Galan AG, Lisa Ho, Hussy (with their sister label Madame Marie), nicolangela, Ben Sherman, Digby’s, Leona Edmiston, Veronika Maine, Max & Co., Manning Cartell, Wayne Cooper and Mimco. Ladies on the lawns please take note; this is how the races should be done – with style.

We hope to see you there next year!

nicolangela kindly participated in Miss Green’s Garden Party. This inaugural event saw almost 20 designers donate an outfit to be auctioned off in aid of their chosen charities. The catches? The outfit must be suitable to wear to the Spring Racing Carnival and it had to be display eco-friendly design. nicolangela’s eco-chic contribution was their “Willow” frock with “Pricilla” bolero in a turquoise and chartreuse hand-painted silk combination. It was a ladylike afternoon filled with cupcakes, iced tea and guilt free fashion.

We were also lucky to be involved in Fashionising’s High Fashion, High Tea at the opulent Silk Road. Designs from Hussy and im strutted the inventively styled runway, while Hussy also dressed the elegant hostesses for the afternoon. Fashion topped off with scones and pastries? Heaven.

Many of our in-house labels also popped up in the official Designer Series parades at the Town Hall. Often the most anticipated events of the week, if you happened to be a lucky ticket holder, you may have watched as the amazing Akira, Gorman, Arthur Galan AG, Wayne Cooper and Fat graced the catwalk among Australia’s fashion design elite.

Simply click on one of the photos below to see our bumper Melbourne Spring Fashion Week gallery.

Images courtesy Fashionising, M&C media and SDP Photo.

Melbourne’s GPO is so excited to be a bronze partner at this year’s Melbourne Spring Fashion Week. We’ve already mentioned the special events we have in store for you like our two Fashion at Altitude parades, our exclusive VIP parade, Fashion Illustration classes for beginners and our special shopping day this Wednesday. Apart from our official in-house events many of our gorgeous designer labels can also be found elsewhere throughout the city during the week. Here’s a selection for the MSFW 2009 program;

Find Akira at the Designer Series Show 1 Tues Sep 1st 6.30pm & 8.30pm
See Gorman at the Designer Series Show 2 Wed Sep 2nd 6.30pm & 8.30pm
Arthur Galan AG and Wayne Cooper are in the Designer Series Show 3 Thurs 3rd Sep 6.30pm & 8.30pm
Nicolangela will be a part of Miss Green’s Garden Party Sun 6th Sep 12.30pm – 4pm
Hussy and im will be a part of Fashionising’s High Fashion, High Tea Sat 4th 3pm – 5pm
Leona Edmiston partners with Guy Grossi at Fine Food and Fine Frocks Tues Sep 1st 6pm – 10pm
Discover Fat at the Designer Series Show 4 Fri 4th Sep 6.30pm & 8.30pm

Fat are also running a series of ‘Fat Loves…’ mini-events in store and online over the week;

Fat Loves Music. On Wednesday you can collect a free mix cd from Fat stores.
Fat Loves Art. From the 1st to the 6th September Fat stores will have different artist exhibitions on display. At Melbourne’s GPO, road kill artist and jeweller Emily Valentine will be the star of the show.
Fat Loves Exhibitions. On Thursday Fat hosts a limited edition T-Shirt exhibition at the No Vacancy gallery from 6pm.
Fat Loves Literature. Finally, on Saturday, Fat’s online blog will have a series of guest bloggers writing for them.

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook today as we give away free tickets to our booked out ‘Fashion at Altitude’ parades for Wednesday.